Son guilty of killing parents and dumping bodies in Lincoln garden

Timothy Crook was found guilty of brutally killing his parents and burying them in Lincoln. Photo: Wiltshire Police

A man who bludgeoned his parents, before driving with their bodies 150 miles and burying them in a garden in Lincoln, has been found guilty of manslaughter.

As previously reported, the trial heard that ex-Ministry of Defence worker Timothy Crook, 51, killed his elderly parents Robert, 83, and Elsie, 76, at their home in Swindon, Wiltshire in July 2007.

Robert and Elsie Crook, who were killed in their home. Photo: Wiltshire Police

Crook, who had schizophrenia, attacked the pair by kicking, punching and stamping on them as well as hitting them with what’s thought to be a hammer.

Courts heard how he had crammed their bodies into the back of a Nissan Micra before burying them under a set of wheelie bins at a house he owned in Lincoln.

Crook was found guilty on July 20 of manslaughter with diminished responsibility.

The Crooks’ daughter, Janice Lawrence, said after the verdict: “After eight very difficult years we are pleased to finally have a guilty verdict and hope that this will provide us with some closure.

“However, as a family we still feel that we have been severely let down by the authorities regarding the help we were trying to access leading up to the deaths of my parents.

“We have found it very hard to come to terms with the way two such loved members of our family lost their lives. They were wonderful people, amazing, supportive parents and a devoted couple who adored their grandchildren.

“They were loved by the whole family and their many friends. Our loss has affected us deeply. We will never forget the special times we shared with them and they will always remain in our hearts.”

Sentencing will take place on July 29.

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